Students launch campaign against fees

A national campaign against increases in college fees was launched today by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).

The USI has taken out full-page ads in the papers listing contact details for every government TD, claiming they have broken their pre-election promises.

The third level students are also planning a mass protest in Dublin city centre to take place on November 16.

USI President Gary Redmond said raising college fees will only force more young people to emigrate.

"Currently students leaving second-level education have three choices," he said.

"They can either emigrate, like 110 Irish people are doing every day, they can join the ever-growing dole queue or they can go into third-level education, up-skill and re-skill and build this smart, knowledge-based economy that we continually hear this government talking about.

"But that's really not a viable option for them if student supports are cut any further, or indeed if college fees are increased."